The radio said the temperatures would be in the single digits on Saturday morning. Deer camp was alive with Coleman lanterns glowing and stories flowing on Friday night as we anticipated the cold of the next morning. Sitting in the cozy confines of Randy Hella's canvas tent, the conversation was light, funny and, of course, just a bit sarcastic.
As the evening wore on, we all realized a long day was ahead and it was time to head to the inviting warmth of the sleeping bag to dream about the big bucks we would see on Saturday. The hunting crew all dispersed to their various campers, tents and other sleeping arrangements and the excitement for the final weekend hung with us while the glow of the lanterns ebbed.
Unknown to the hunters as we slept is that the skies cleared and the temperatures plummeted. When the solitary alarm clock finally rang its wake up call, the thermometer showed 4 degrees above zero. With light snow on the ground and a cool and brisk wind, it would be a day to test even the most experienced hunter.
Slowly, but surely, the camp began to come alive. In the early morning dark you can see the lanterns being lit in the nearby tents and campers, and soon, the smell of coffee brewing emanates just about everywhere. Yes, it would be a cold but good day in the woods.
A light breakfast and coffee are consumed and the decisions on which clothes to wear are made. Radio guy says we'll face wind chills of minus 10 to minus 20 in the early morning hours. It's time to add another layer, but it is also time to trek into the dark towards our stands. What a great day!
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As the cold morning air hit our cheeks we realized this wasn't just another day at the shack. This was a day we'll write in our journals about, it was a day we will remember for a long time.
Trudging through the darkness, and almost to my stand, I spooked an unsuspecting deer. It was too early to shoot and he escaped into the shadows.
The stand creaked and moaned as I guided my body up the ladder and into the chair. It is almost as if the wood and the trees were warning the deer I was here and ready for the hunt ahead. It was 6:20 in the morning and I was warm from the walk. I settled in to steady myself for the chill I know was coming soon.
Light slowly crept across the valley below and I could just barely locate the outlines of the beaver pond off to the east. To the north is the buck scrape I saw the week before and in the west is a dense area of brush I hope the big guy emerges from.
The hours pass and I am entertained by the red squirrel that sounds upset about everything, the blue jay that flutters about gathering food and the wood pecker drilling his beak into the trees of the valley looking for insects.
By the time noon rolls around, shoulders were gathered up around the neck and I was just trying to hang in there without freezing to death. I decided to head back to the shack and warm up with lunch and some coffee.
Following lunch, it is back to the stand and we were rewarded by the sun breaking through the clouds and the wind dying down. Time rolled slowly and I day dreamed about the big buck I hoped to see, the hunts I've had and generally just enjoyed the moment. No worries, no phones, no televisions.
Dusk approached and it was time to head back to the shack and a much deserved dinner. I shuffled through the woods and pondered the events of the day. I hadn't really seen a deer even though I heard one, I shivered my way through a cold and blustery day and to many people it was miserable. To me? It was a great day!
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Pine Journal sports reporter Kerry Rodd can be contacted at: kdrodd@aol.com .
